Flexible hand-held sanding device with finger grip indentations

ABSTRACT

A sanding apparatus includes a flexible base member which includes a base member bottom side and a base member top side. A quantity of abrasive material is attached to the base member bottom side. A flexible handle is positioned above the base member top side, and attachment means are provided for attaching the flexible base member to the flexible handle. The flexible handle includes a pair of parallel (opposing side) finger grip grooves. The flexible handle also includes a plurality of finger grip indentations located on each side of top edge of the flexible handle to provide a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present application claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), from U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 63/032,577, filed on May 30, 2020. The entire content of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 63/032,577, filed on May 30, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Conventional hand-held sanding devices have utilized flexible abrasive portion that is suitable for sanding curved objects, while others have utilized a rigid, planar abrasive portion.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,496 discloses a flexible abrasive tool that has a flexible abrasive substrate and two rigid handles located at opposite ends of the substrate. For most efficient operation, two hands are needed to grasp the two handles. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,496 is hereby incorporated by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,729 discloses a hand-held sanding tool in which a flexible sanding belt is spaced apart from a handle. Since the work-contacting portion of the sanding belt is spaced apart from the handle, a limited amount of pressure can be applied to the sanding belt. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,729 is hereby incorporated by reference.

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,519 discloses a hand-held sanding device which includes a flexible sanding portion and a flexible handle. However, the flexibility of the handle is constant. There is no provision for adjusting the flexibility of the handle. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,519 is hereby incorporated by reference.

Other examples of conventional hand-held sanding devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,457,045, 4,676,031, and 6,544,113. The entire contents of U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,457,045, 4,676,031, and 6,544,113 are hereby incorporated by reference.

The various conventional hand-held sanding devices described above do not allow adjusting the flexibility of the handle. Also, the various conventional hand-held sanding devices described above do not provide for handle flexibility adjustments to be carried out in distinct increments or provide incremental adjustment of handle flexibility accomplished by interchangeable, modular flexibility adjustment elements.

Furthermore, the various conventional hand-held sanding devices described above do not provide a work-contacting portion that is in direct contact with the handle that supports the work-contacting portion.

Lastly, the various conventional hand-held sanding devices described above do not provide finger grip indentations that allow a user to maintain a more comfortable and better grip of the hand-held sanding device.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a hand-held sanding device that includes adjustable flexibility in the handle and includes finger grip indentations in the flexible handle.

It is further desirable to provide a hand-held sanding device that includes handle flexibility adjustments to be carried out in distinct increments and includes finger grip indentations in the flexible handle.

Also, it is desirable to provide a hand-held sanding device that includes incremental adjustment of handle flexibility accomplished by interchangeable, modular flexibility adjustment elements and includes finger grip indentations in the flexible handle.

Additionally, it is desirable to provide a hand-held sanding device that includes a work-contacting portion that is in direct contact with the handle that supports the work-contacting portion and includes finger grip indentations in the flexible handle.

Moreover, it is desirable to provide a hand-held sanding device that includes finger grip indentations in the flexible handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating various embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view showing an adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an end view of the adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a series of flexibility adjustment rods used in the adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective view showing an adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus with finger grip indentations;

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view showing an adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus with finger grip indentations as shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view showing an adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus with finger grip indentations as shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view showing an adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus with finger grip indentations as shown in FIG. 7;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a general understanding, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like references have been used throughout to designate identical or equivalent elements. It is also noted that the drawings may not have been drawn to scale and that certain regions may have been purposely drawn disproportionately so that the features and concepts could be properly illustrated.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,113 discloses, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, a sanding apparatus which includes a flexible base member which includes a base member bottom side and a base member top side. A quantity of abrasive material is attached to the base member bottom side. A flexible handle is positioned above the base member top side, and attachment means are provided for attaching the flexible base member to the flexible handle. The flexible handle includes a pair of parallel (opposing side) finger grip grooves. The abrasive material is in a form of a sheet of sandpaper which is adhesively bonded to the base member bottom side.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view showing an adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus 10 includes a flexible base member 12 (illustrated in FIG. 4), which includes a base member bottom side 14 (illustrated in FIG. 6) and a base member top side 16 (illustrated in FIG. 6). A quantity of abrasive material is attached to the base member bottom side 14.

A flexible handle 20 is positioned above the base member top side 16, and attachment means are provided for attaching the flexible base member 12 to the flexible handle 20. The flexible handle 20 includes a pair of finger grip grooves 21. The flexible base member 12 is made from stainless steel. The flexible handle 20 can extend downward to cover the edges of the flexible base member 12. The abrasive material is in a form of a sheet of sandpaper 18 (illustrated in FIG. 4), which is adhesively bonded to the base member bottom side 14.

Rod reception brackets 22 (illustrated in FIG. 3) are attached to the base member top side 16, and one or more flexibility adjustment rods 24 (illustrated in FIG. 4) are received in the rod reception brackets 22 (illustrated in FIG. 4). The rod reception brackets 22 include bracket rod reception channels 26 (illustrated in FIG. 6), which receive the flexibility adjustment rods 24. Each of the rod reception brackets 22 includes three bracket rod reception channels 26 (illustrated in FIG. 6).

The attachment means for attaching the flexible base member 12 to the flexible handle 20 can include adhesive action between the flexible handle 20 and the flexible base member 12 when the flexible handle 20 is molded to the flexible base member 12. The flexible handle 20 can be made from a flexible foam material.

Also, the attachment means for attaching the flexible base member 12 to the flexible handle 20 can include attachment wings 34 (illustrated in FIG. 6) on the rod reception brackets 22 and wing reception spaces 36 in the flexible handle 20 which receive the attachment wings 34 (illustrated in FIG. 6).

The flexible handle 20 includes handle rod reception channels 28 (illustrated in FIG. 6), which are in registration with the bracket rod reception channels 26. Flexible plastic rod reception tubes 30 (illustrated in FIG. 6) are received in the bracket rod reception channels 26 and the handle rod reception channels 28. In addition, each of the flexibility adjustment rods 24 includes a rod handle portion 32 (illustrated in FIG. 5).

Three flexibility adjustment rods 24 can be employed for rod reception brackets 22. Each of the rod reception brackets 22 includes three bracket rod reception channels 26. When one flexibility adjustment rod 24 is employed, the one flexibility adjustment rod 24 can be threaded through the central bracket rod reception channel 26 in each rod reception bracket 22. When two flexibility adjustment rods 24 are employed, the two flexibility adjustment rods 24 can be threaded through the two lateral bracket rod reception channels 26 in each rod reception bracket 22.

The flexibility adjustment rods 24 can be provided as a set of a plurality of flexibility adjustment rods 24 which have increasing resistance to bending. As shown in FIG. 5, the flexibility adjustment rods include flexibility adjustment rod 24 a of lowest resistance to bending, flexibility adjustment rod 24 b of intermediate resistance to bending, and flexibility adjustment rod 24 c of greatest resistance to bending. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, flexibility adjustment rod 24 a includes rod handle portion 32 a, flexibility adjustment rod 24 b includes rod handle portion 32 b, and flexibility adjustment rod 24 c includes rod handle portion 32 c.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective view showing an adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus includes a flexible base member 205. A quantity of abrasive material is attached to the base member 205.

A flexible handle 200 is positioned above the flexible base member 205, and an attachment mechanism is provided for attaching the flexible base member 205 to the flexible handle 200. The flexible handle 200 includes a pair of parallel finger grip grooves 221. These parallel finger grip grooves 221 are located on each side of the flexible handle 200.

The flexible handle 200 includes a plurality of finger grip indentations 210 located on each side of the flexible handle 200. The finger grip indentations 210 are located on a top edge portion of the flexible handle 200 to allow a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle 200. The finger grip indentations 210 engage a middle portion of a user's fingers, while the parallel finger grip grooves 221 engage the tips of the user's fingers or the user's thumb, depending upon the position of the user's grip.

It is noted that the finger grip indentations 210 may have a semi-circular shape to allow a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle 200. The finger grip indentations 210 may be located in each top edge or corner of the flexible handle 200 to allow a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle 200.

The finger grip indentations 210 provide a smoother transition for the user's fingers from the top of the flexible handle 200 to the sides of the flexible handle 200. Moreover, since the finger grip indentations 210 are indentations or grooves, each finger grip 210 provide a surface area, which is substantially orthogonal to a force being applied by a user in a lengthwise direction of the flexible handle 200, thereby providing a more effective means of transferring the lengthwise direction force to the flexible handle 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus includes flexibility adjustment rod handles 232 that project from one end of the flexible base member 205. The flexibility adjustment rod handles 232 enable a user to insert or remove the associated flexibility adjustment rod from the flexible base member 205.

The flexible base member 205 may be made from stainless steel. The flexible handle 200 can extend downward to cover the edges of the flexible base member 205. The abrasive material is in a form of a sheet of sandpaper (not shown), which may be adhesively bonded to the flexible base member 205.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view showing an adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 8, flexible handle 200 includes a plurality of finger grip indentations 210 located on each side of the flexible handle 200. The finger grip indentations 210 are located on a top edge portion of the flexible handle 200 to allow a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle 200. The finger grip indentations 210 engage a middle portion of a user's fingers.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view showing an adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 8, a flexible handle 200 includes a plurality of finger grip indentations 210 located on each side of the flexible handle 200. The finger grip indentations 210 are located on a top edge portion of the flexible handle 200 to allow a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle 200. The finger grip indentations 210 engage a middle portion of a user's fingers.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus includes flexibility adjustment rod handles 232 that project from one end of the flexible base member. The flexibility adjustment rod handles 232 enable a user to insert or remove the associated flexibility adjustment rod from the flexible base member.

The flexible handle 200 also includes a pair of parallel finger grip grooves 221. These parallel finger grip grooves 221 are located on each side of the flexible handle 200. In addition, an abrasive material 218, which may be a sheet of sandpaper, is adhesively bonded to the bottom side of the base member 205.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view showing an adjustable flexibility sanding apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a flexible handle 200 includes a plurality of finger grip indentations 210 located on each side of the flexible handle 200. The finger grip indentations 210 are located on a top edge portion of the flexible handle 200 to allow a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle 200. The finger grip indentations 210 engage a middle portion of a user's fingers.

FIG. 10 further illustrates rod reception brackets 234 are attached to the flexible base member 205. The rod reception brackets 234 include bracket rod reception channels 230, which receive the flexibility adjustment rods 224. Each of the rod reception brackets 234 may include three bracket rod reception channels 230.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the flexibility adjustment rods 224 includes flexibility adjustment rod handles 232. The flexibility adjustment rod handles 232 enable a user to insert or remove the associated flexibility adjustment rod from the bracket rod reception channels 230.

As described above, the flexible handle includes a plurality of finger grip indentations located on each side of top edge of the flexible handle to provide a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle while providing a hand-held sanding device that includes adjustable flexibility in the handle.

The finger grip indentations may have a semi-circular shape to allow a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle. The finger grip indentations may be located in each top edge or corner of the flexible handle to allow a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle.

The finger grip indentations provide a smoother transition for the user's fingers from the top of the flexible handle to the sides of the flexible handle. Moreover, since the finger grip indentations are indentations or grooves, each finger grip provide a surface area, which is substantially orthogonal to a force being applied by a user in a lengthwise direction of the flexible handle, thereby providing a more effective means of transferring the lengthwise direction force to the flexible handle.

The flexible handle further includes a plurality of finger grip indentations located on each side of top edge of the flexible handle to provide a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle while providing a hand-held sanding device that includes handle flexibility adjustments to be carried out in distinct increments.

The flexible handle also includes a plurality of finger grip indentations located on each side of top edge of the flexible handle to provide a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle while providing a hand-held sanding device that includes incremental adjustment of handle flexibility accomplished by interchangeable, modular flexibility adjustment elements.

Lastly, the flexible handle includes a plurality of finger grip indentations located on each side of top edge of the flexible handle to provide a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle while providing a hand-held sanding device that includes a work-contacting portion that is in direct contact with the handle that supports the work-contacting portion.

A sanding apparatus comprises a flexible base member having a base member bottom side and a base member top side; a flexible handle operatively connected to the base member top side; a flexibility adjustment rod; rod reception brackets, operatively connected to the base member top side, for receiving the flexibility adjustment rod; the flexible handle including a plurality of finger grip indentations located on a first side of the flexible handle and a plurality of finger grip indentations located on a second side of the flexible handle; the flexible handle including a first finger grip groove located on the first side of the flexible handle and a second finger grip groove located on the second side of the flexible handle.

The finger grip indentations may be semi-circular shaped.

The finger grip indentations may be located at a top edge of the flexible handle.

The finger grip indentations may be located at a transition from a top surface of the flexible handle to a side surface of the flexible handle.

The base member bottom side may be configured to attachably receive abrasive material.

The rod reception brackets may include a bracket rod reception channel for receiving the flexibility adjustment rod.

The flexible handle may include a handle rod reception channel which is in registration with the bracket rod reception channel.

Each rod reception bracket may include three bracket rod reception channels.

The sanding apparatus may include a rod reception tube operatively connected to the bracket rod reception channel and the handle rod reception channel.

The flexibility adjustment rod may include a rod handle portion.

The flexible foam handle may be molded to the flexible base member.

The flexible handle may be constructed from a flexible foam material.

The flexible handle may be constructed from is a urethane elastomer.

A sanding apparatus, comprises a flexible base member having a base member bottom side and a base member top side; a flexible handle operatively connected to the base member top side; a flexibility adjustment rod; rod reception brackets, operatively connected to the base member top side, for receiving the flexibility adjustment rod; the flexible handle including a plurality of finger grip indentations located on a first side of the flexible handle configured to engage a non-tip portion of a finger of a user; the flexible handle including a plurality of finger grip indentations located on a second side of the flexible handle configured to engage a non-tip portion of a thumb of a user; the flexible handle including a first finger grip groove located on the first side of the flexible handle configured to engage a tip portion of the finger of a user; the flexible handle including a second finger grip groove located on the second side of the flexible handle configured to engage a tip portion of the thumb of a user.

The finger grip indentations may be semi-circular shaped.

The finger grip indentations may be located at a top edge of the flexible handle.

The finger grip indentations may be located at a transition from a top surface of the flexible handle to a side surface of the flexible handle.

It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different apparatuses or applications. Also, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the description above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sanding apparatus, comprising: a flexible base member having a base member bottom side and a base member top side; a flexible handle operatively connected to said base member top side; a flexibility adjustment rod; rod reception brackets, operatively connected to said base member top side, for receiving said flexibility adjustment rod; said flexible handle including a plurality of finger grip indentations located on a first side of said flexible handle and a plurality of finger grip indentations located on a second side of said flexible handle; said flexible handle including a first finger grip groove located on said first side of said flexible handle and a second finger grip groove located on said second side of said flexible handle.
 2. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said finger grip indentations are semi-circular shaped.
 3. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said finger grip indentations are located at a top edge of said flexible handle.
 4. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said finger grip indentations are located at a transition from a top surface of said flexible handle to a side surface of said flexible handle.
 5. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base member bottom side is configured to attachably receive abrasive material.
 6. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rod reception brackets include a bracket rod reception channel for receiving said flexibility adjustment rod.
 7. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said flexible handle includes a handle rod reception channel which is in registration with said bracket rod reception channel.
 8. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein each rod reception bracket includes three bracket rod reception channels.
 9. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: a rod reception tube operatively connected to said bracket rod reception channel and said handle rod reception channel.
 10. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexibility adjustment rod includes a rod handle portion.
 11. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible foam handle is molded to said flexible base member.
 12. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible handle is constructed from a flexible foam material.
 13. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible handle is constructed from is a urethane elastomer.
 14. A sanding apparatus, comprising: a flexible base member having a base member bottom side and a base member top side; a flexible handle operatively connected to said base member top side; a flexibility adjustment rod; rod reception brackets, operatively connected to said base member top side, for receiving said flexibility adjustment rod; said flexible handle including a plurality of finger grip indentations located on a first side of said flexible handle configured to engage a non-tip portion of a finger of a user; said flexible handle including a plurality of finger grip indentations located on a second side of said flexible handle configured to engage a non-tip portion of a thumb of a user; said flexible handle including a first finger grip groove located on said first side of said flexible handle configured to engage a tip portion of the finger of a user; said flexible handle including a second finger grip groove located on said second side of said flexible handle configured to engage a tip portion of the thumb of a user.
 15. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 14, wherein said finger grip indentations are semi-circular shaped.
 16. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 14, wherein said finger grip indentations are located at a top edge of said flexible handle.
 17. The sanding apparatus, as claimed in claim 14, wherein said finger grip indentations are located at a transition from a top surface of said flexible handle to a side surface of said flexible handle. 